Overview
The neighbourhood of Donnybrook is one of Dublin’s most fashionable and prosperous areas. Known for its elegant period buildings, open parkland and rich cultural heritage, this charming suburb has provided homes to some of Ireland’s most infamous political and literary figures.
Today, Donnybrook is home to Dublin’s most luxurious residences and many international embassies. Located in the heart of Dublin 4, Edward Square was planned to be one of the most prestigious and exclusive residential developments to be built in Ireland in recent years.
This 4.85 acre site just off Bloomfield Avenue was the former headquarters of the Quakers Religious Institution in Ireland. The scheme is situated in a mature and established residential area within easy walking distance of Donnybrook village and Dublin’s city centre.
In this very prestigious location the developers were keen to resist the high density trends that are common to many developments currently on site in the Dublin area. Edward Square integrated a low density residential element within a high quality, spacious and structured scheme. It was also important to ensure that given the low density of the scheme that the properties were prestigious enough to command a high selling price.
Client
Edward Holdings
Project
Architectural Design
Sector
Large Scale Residential
Location
Dublin 4
Our Approach
We approached the design of the development with a view towards integrating a number of protected structures present throughout the scheme. Careful consideration had been given to orientation in the overall planning layout, to maximize the advantage of natural daylight.
The various houses and mews enjoy secluded patios and gardens designed for maximum privacy in addition to a mixture of private basement and off-lane parking.
The town houses, penthouse apartments and mews have generous south and west facing roof top terraces, allowing magnificent views across the city.
Our Solution
In the spirit of this classic 18th century feature, the beauty of Edward Square lies in its intelligent design with a modern twist. The exceptional choice of elegant five storey townhouses, light-filled mews and spacious contemporary apartments was designed to make Edward Square one of Dublin’s most desirable residences.
Bloomfield House, a well known building historically used as a hospital and retirement home was retained and incorporated in the overall development for residential use.
Swanbrook House was also restored and converted into a family residence set within its own grounds. The clever use of open spaces further enhanced the amenity value of the overall development. The focal point of Edward Square was a newly created contemporary landscaped garden square incorporating elements from the Regency style.
The landscaping of this square included protected copper, beech and oak trees which were complemented by the planting of semi-mature trees both in the square and the surrounding land. A specially commissioned sculpture formed the central focus of the square. The choice of the Regency styled houses arranged around a formal garden allowed the developer to create a scheme of such quality that they could command a premium in the marketplace.
The quality of the scheme was proven when the scheme was launched and sold out in less than 48 hours, even with the homes carrying a price tag of between €1m and €4.5m.
